The former pope Benedict has claimed that his resignation in February was prompted by God, who told him to do it during a "mystical experience".

Breaking his silence for the first time since he became the first pope to step down in 600 years, the 86-year-old reportedly said: "God told me to" when asked what had pushed him to retire to a secluded residence in the Vatican gardens.

You got that right. I often have seen in the last couple of months threads that have been posted by Catholics on articles by Catholics having been attacked by Bible based Christians. It has greatly sadden me, at a time when there are Christians who are suffering and dying in places such as the Middle East.

15
posted on 08/21/2013 8:28:36 AM PDT
by Biggirl
(Go, do not be afraid, and serve-Pope Francis)

My gut reaction to a large number of the anti-Catholic replies are made by posters who were once Catholic, but over time and all the coverage of homosexuality within the Church, they left and have a feeling of being lied to in their youth by a number of hypocritical spiritual leaders. I state this because I encountered such behavior while in Catholic High School in N.Y. Over the years I have tried to reestablish my Catholic faith, only to have another scandal unearthed. I have no idea why Pope Benedict chose to step down, but I accept it. There is no possible way for me to understand his decision so I will accept it on faith in God and Christianity.

I don't mean to be offensive with this... but there is no such thing as a "casual" Catholic. You either accept the identity and authority of the Church or you don't. "Casual" Catholicism gets us the Kennedy's, Kerry's and Pelosi's of the world. I recommend reading "Reasons to Believe" as a beginning to restoration in the Faith.

May God bless you.

23
posted on 08/21/2013 8:41:14 AM PDT
by pgyanke
(Republicans get in trouble when not living up to their principles. Democrats... when they do.)

In this case, just to NOT to imagine that the Pope has an ongoing conversation with God seems kooky.

Do people really think he gets in to the position for the housing, the wardrobe the perceived power?

Don’t they imagine that he is contemplative and meditates on the life of Jesus and what He told us?

They don’t realize that the Holy Spirit can and does send signs to those who choose to be receptive to them and that the Pope asks God to send signs and answers to questions about our doing God’’s will in daily, certainly significant events?

People on FR do tend to take secular news’ views when it comes to the Catholic Church. Definitely the Pope & the Vatican.

I see this headline and I go right to the Nat’l Catholic Register without poisoning my mind with this account

Much as I turn to Mark Levin for a factual account of legislative events, for instance

I’ve had many multi day discussions on this site just in failed effort to request proof of some anti catholic accusation or assertion

Over the years I have tried to reestablish my Catholic faith, only to have another scandal unearthed.

Consider that the scandals are the devil's tools to undermine the faith. It is very hard to find a case of priestly molestation that occurred since 2000. Sure, the case has come to a head since then but the offense typically occurred decades ago. We can certainly agree that the bishops screwed up the messaging and the leadership on the issue... but they did do something right in dealing with the problem. That isn't true in other areas of society (public schools, politicians, UN missions, et al).

I recommend Scott Hahn as an author for rebuilding your faith. A good place to start is "Reasons to Believe." May God bless you.

27
posted on 08/21/2013 8:49:27 AM PDT
by pgyanke
(Republicans get in trouble when not living up to their principles. Democrats... when they do.)

I’m not pro or anti. both sides get “high and mighty”. Simple truth in my mind is that if you believe christ died and rose in 3 days and have faith and try to live a life without sin going forward your part of the deal.

I don’t trust any of the “organizations” but believe the church is made of all those who believe the above. The details beyond that are minor in comparison...

28
posted on 08/21/2013 8:49:31 AM PDT
by reed13k
(For evil to triumph it is only necessary for good men to do nothing.)

I use this in the Humpty Dumpty fashion - 'it means just what I choose it to mean  neither more nor less'.

Then I might call you an idiot... don't worry, though. It only means what I choose it to mean. That doesn't work, does it? Words have meanings. Your quip above is more of a liberal approach that seeks to control the debate through controlling the terms. I don't appreciate the approach from either source.

31
posted on 08/21/2013 8:53:14 AM PDT
by pgyanke
(Republicans get in trouble when not living up to their principles. Democrats... when they do.)

Is it just the anti Catholic sentiment that is evil? Or is it evil when Catholics dismiss Protestantism (as is daily done here on this forum)?

I see far more charity on here Catholic to Protestant than the reverse. While we try to educate and refute (and sometimes take umbrage... we're human), we tend to take vitriol and slander in response. This isn't 100% either way, though... it just tends to lean this way. Is it less evil when pointed at anyone else? No.

32
posted on 08/21/2013 8:56:38 AM PDT
by pgyanke
(Republicans get in trouble when not living up to their principles. Democrats... when they do.)

You're not talking about Yopios® cereal are you? Or about you not belonging to the One True Church are you? Or if you try to read and understand the Scriptures on your own (Nobody can do that!!) then you are your own god in the mirror. These are just some of the ones I've encountered.

I'm not a Catholic, and wasn't raised to appreciate them all that much. No offense intended to anyone. I just like to lay it out there so folks can understand where I am coming from.

In an age when men value power more than just about anything, here's a man that accepted what he thought was God's desire, and passed on the power to someone else.

I can't help but respect that.Ramirez's latest political cartoon LARGE VERSION08/21/2013:LINKLINKto regular sized version of Ramirez's latest, and an archive of his political cartoons.In this political cartoon, Ramirez touches on "Obamacare".

FOLKS, THOSE OF YOU WHO CAN, PLEASE CLICK HERE AND PENCIL IN YOUR DONATION TO HELP END THIS FREEPATHON. THANK YOU!We're at 82% now!....this is a general all purpose message, and snot be seen as targeting any individual I am responding to...

a

38
posted on 08/21/2013 9:28:20 AM PDT
by DoughtyOne
(This post coming to you today, from behind the Camelskin Curtain. Not the Iron or Bamboo Curtain...)

Taking issue with a Roman pope is not mocking the spiritual in any way, shape, or form. He’s just a man who is no more worthy of reverence than any other man. In fact, based on the claims popes make of themselves they are worthy of nothing but my contempt.

John Calvin said, “A dog barks when his master is attacked. I would be a coward if I saw that God’s truth is attacked and yet would remain silent.” Everything a pope says or does as pope is an attack on the Master! I cannot be quiet while Catholics spread their soul-destroying propaganda.

Anyone who understands what is at stake with Rome I suggest the following:

Dont Just Stand ThereSay Something: The Sin of Silence in a Time of Trouble

The topic was also the Anti-Catholicism. One would naturally want to know the cause of this. And if a person were to rank Anti-Catholicism topping murder, rapes and pedophilia then that might be a cause of these conflicts.

Oh FRiend, based on John 6:45 we know that all who come to Christ have been taught by God. My eyes were opened and I was enlightened to the Truth of Christ way back in 1977. That’s when I was saved by His glorious grace, and His grace alone.

I’m sorry Catholics don’t like it when others express themselves regarding the papacy and the Roman Catholic system of religion. I suppose that’s understandable and I don’t mean to be hurtful. However, it should likewise be understandable that many of us are equally offended by Rome. It should be understandable that those of us who live under the explicit anathemas of Rome, those whose spiritual ancestors were slaughtered for centuries by Rome, cannot now pretend that the Roman church is just another Christian denomination that happens to do things a little differently. I can’t in good conscience pretend the popes are anything but wicked men. And based on the Bible I can’t pretend the Roman religion is anything but apostate.

To keep the peace, perhaps all things Catholic should be limited to caucus threads so Catholics aren’t offended by all the hurtful responses from those of us bound by conscience to speak against the pope’s system and to speak for the gospel of His free and sovereign grace.

To be clear, my issue is with the Roman Catholic system— her institutions, doctrines, and leadership—and not her people. Based on Revelation 18:4, I am hopeful there is a remnant of regenerate believers to be found among the Catholic laity. I suspect that once men are truly saved they will grow uncomfortable and eventually leave the Catholic system. I know many Catholics, to include a good number of my own relatives, and most are ignorant of both Catholic and Christian doctrine, and I feel sorry for them. What they need more than anything in the world is for people like me to care enough to sound the alarm and tell them the TRUTH.

“And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” (Revelation 18:4)

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